Shiv Sena workers gather outside Amravati MP's house after 'Hanuman Chalisa row'

A crowd of Shiv Sena workers gathered outside the apartment of Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana in Mumbai this morning. The couple had previously announced that they will recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree', the residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

The Ranas are independent legislators from the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra. The duo said Shiv Sena workers are breaking barricades because the Maharashtra CM ordered them. Navneet Rana said that the plan to go outside Matoshree and chant Hanuman Chalisa is still on, reported NDTV.

The police took control of the situation before Shiv Sena workers entered the premises of the legislator couple's residence in Suburban Khar. The crowd had already broken through the barricades. Police have increased security outside Matoshree and Varsha, the official residence of the chief minister.

Ravi Rana had earlier said that Uddhav Thackeray had deviated from the ideology practiced by Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. "This is not the same Shiv Sena that Balasaheb Thackeray formed. That Shiv Sena would have allowed us to chant Hanuman Chalisa."

Former Mumbai Mayor and Shiv Sena leader Kishori Pednekar told NDTV that the party has accepted their challenge. "Let them come, we are ready to welcome them and give them 'prasad'." Shiv Sena workers have been camping outside Matoshree.

Shiv Sena leaders have accused the BJP of conspiring against the coalition government in Maharashtra and using the Ranas and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray. MP Anil Desai said that the Ranas were prompted by someone to challenge the law and order. Senior party leader Sanjay Raut said that people like Rana are characters in the nautanki (drama) and stunt of the BJP.

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil asked "what's the need to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree'? They can do it at their home."